Finding Miss Write, Book One
Five of five stars given, easily would have given it double, if it were possible!
“I’m thinking of killing Danny.”
Lost in thought, Carla Williams stared out at the San Antonio River. Sitting across from her at the café table, Maggie Monroe almost choked on her iced tea.
“What?” Maggie sputtered. “Why?”
“He’s irritating the crap out of me.”
“That seems a little over the top, even for you. You gonna shoot him?”
“I’m thinking knife. One like my chef’s knife would work – it’s super sharp. I’ve got the scars to prove it. One quick slice to the neck…problem solved!”
*****
When the book opens I found myself thinking that this one would end up on my DNF pile. A bit too cliché I thought, but as I’d been asked to review it, I soldiered on.
I’m glad I did!
You quickly get past the bit of silliness that ensues when the author’s conversation with her proof reader – characters in the book, y’alls – is overheard and, of course, misunderstood by people sitting at a nearby table. It does get a bit more silly when the detectives show up at Carla’s door later, without having done their due diligence. It was at the point where the accuser is right out front when Carla and Maggie are “brought in for questioning” that I about abandoned ship! You may feel that way too. But hang in.
This is a great tale! Blending some real life with the fiction, Webb takes you inch by inch deeper into the story. Her characters are strong and empathetic. She gives you enough of their back story that you feel comfortable with them, like old friends. And in this way she engages you so you’re bound and determined to find out just what’s going on. There’s a point in the book – my eReader called it page 182 of 201 – where a light bulb goes off in my head and I think I have it all figured out. I was wrong! Nonetheless, not a total surprise ending – I pride myself on solving these, sometimes – but also not the solution I thought it would be,
A great read for a rainy afternoon – or a sunny one spent out on the terrace; I think you’ll enjoy this new series. I’m looking forward to more of Carla and Maggie’s adventures!
[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
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The Write Decision, Book Two
Five of five stars given
Carla is selected to be a juror in the case of an attempt on a police officer’s life. She’s a little worried about how the outcome of the trial might affect her newfound relationship with Roger. But he respects her and her opinion, right? And how did the newspapers even find out she’d been selected?
It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks!
As the trial moves forward, Carla’s worst fears are realized. Roger and his colleagues are counting on this guy being put behind bars. But the more she hears, the more Carla is convinced that the prosecution hasn’t proven their case “beyond a reasonable doubt”. When it’s declared a mistrial, the fat is proverbially in the fire. And Carla ends up giving Roger the ring back.
Webb is masterful at creating the suspense here. Even as I giggle at some of the interactions between the characters, I’m fully invested in finding out what happened. And oh boy do I want to give Roger a piece of my mind!!! In the end, the wrap up is another shot out of left field, but I love that about these books. They aren’t your run-of-the-mill whodunnit by a long shot!
Cannot wait to see what they get into next.
Grab them both, you’ll be glad you did.
[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
Roxx Is Reading 